If you were at the Magic Kingdom recently, you might have noticed something unusual—new signs urging guests to leave the park. Let’s take a look at the details behind these signs and what Walt Disney World Resort guests can expect going forward.
In July, several beloved areas of Magic Kingdom closed their gates for the final time. Tom Sawyer Island, the Rivers of America, and the Liberty Square Riverboat welcomed their last Disney Park guests as construction began on a Cars (2006) expansion. The new area, Piston Peak National Park, will bring the wonders of America’s national parks to Frontierland.
This new expansion is set to transform the park’s original landscape with two new attractions—one featuring a thrilling rally race and another family-friendly experience. Though much of the Rivers of America will be altered, some iconic elements, like the water features and barrel bridge, will remain.
Since these closures, Disney has been working hard to prepare the land for the new attractions. Construction walls now surround the Rivers of America, and Magic Kingdom Park guests have witnessed Imagineers surveying Tom Sawyer Island, tagging props for either preservation or removal. Over the past few weeks, crews have been draining the water from the Rivers of America, signaling that significant work is underway. Meanwhile, the Walt Disney World Railroad is operating in “shuttle mode” between Fantasyland and Main Street, U.S.A.
But it’s not just the areas within the park that are seeing changes. Earlier this summer, construction crews cleared hundreds of trees outside Magic Kingdom Park to make room for a new backstage area. This space will serve as the base for the construction of both Piston Peak National Park and an upcoming Disney Villains Land, which is set to be developed “beyond Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.” The backstage area will house office trailers and an equipment staging area.
On Sunday, August 3, Magic Kingdom Park guests spotted new decorations on the construction walls around the Rivers of America in Frontierland. X (formerly known as Twitter) user @DrewDisneyDude shared several photos of posters featuring Disney Easter eggs, including a reference to Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.
New posters and signs have been installed on the construction walls outside of the Cars-themed area and Villains Land project sites at Magic Kingdom!
The largest of the new posters advertises the Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue, an all-you-can-eat dinner show at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campgrounds. This unexpected addition to the construction site encourages guests to take watercraft transportation from Magic Kingdom Park to Pioneer Hall, where the show takes place.
The Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue typically performs Wednesday through Sunday at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campgrounds. If you’re interested in attending, be sure to check the Walt Disney World Resort website for showtimes and availability—reservations are required.
Are you excited about the Cars area in Frontierland at Magic Kingdom Park? Let Disney Dining know in the comments!
